[2023] KEMC 190 (KLR)
The court found that the marriage had irretrievably broken down as evidenced by the particulars in the petition, the length of physical separation, and the clear lack of intention by either party to salvage the union. The court applied section 66 of the Marriage Act, 2014, and relevant case law, holding that it...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEMC 190 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: GNG; Respondent: GOA
- Court
- Magistrate's Court
- Court Station
- Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Divorce Cause E776 of 2022
- Procedural Posture
- Divorce Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- petition allowed; marriage dissolved
- Judges
- JP Aduke
- Legal Topics
- Divorce, Irretrievable Breakdown, Cruelty, Desertion
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
GNG
Applicant
GOA
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Divorce Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the marriage between the parties merits an order of divorce under the Marriage Act, 2014.
- 2 Whether the grounds of irretrievable breakdown, cruelty, and desertion have been established.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the marriage had irretrievably broken down as evidenced by the particulars in the petition, the length of physical separation, and the clear lack of intention by either party to salvage the union. The court applied section 66 of the Marriage Act, 2014, and relevant case law, holding that it cannot compel parties to remain married where there is no mutual desire to continue the union. The petitioner's evidence was uncontested at the hearing, and the grounds of irretrievable breakdown, cruelty, and desertion were sufficiently established. Accordingly, the court granted the order for dissolution of the marriage.
Court Disposition
petition allowed; marriage dissolved
Orders
- The marriage between the parties is hereby dissolved.
- Decree nisi to issue and be made absolute in 30 days.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
GNG v GOA (Divorce Cause E776 of 2022) [2023] KEMC 190 (KLR) (14 June 2023) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEMC 190 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate's Courts
Divorce Cause E776 of 2022
JP Aduke, SRM
June 14, 2023
Between
GNG
Petitioner
and
GOA
Respondent
Judgment
1. The Petitioner filed the petition dated 28th June 2022 seeking a divorce on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, cruelty, and desertion. Return of service on record shows that the respondent was served with the petition and annexures thereto. The respondent entered appearance and filed an answer to the petition. These proceedings proceeded defended.
2. The brief fact of the case are as contained in the petition and answer to petition on record. In summary, GNG and GOOA solemnized their marriage in Kenya on 31. 12. 2002 at the Office of the Attorney General. Both the respondent and the petitioner are domiciled in Kenya. They have two issues together from the union. The parties have no intentions of salvaging this marriage. The particulars of the grounds for divorce are outlined in the petition as follows:1. Irreconcilable differences /Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage;2. Desertion;3. Cruelty;
3. At the hearing thereof, the petitioner relied on the petition and pleadings on record as evidence in support of the petition for divorce. Notably, the petitioner averred that the contents of the petition remained true as at the date of the hearing. The petitioner prayed that the petition be allowed as prayed. The respondent was absent on the date of the hearing.
4. The issue for determination before this court is whether or not the marriage between the parties merits an order of divorce under The Marriage Act, 2014 (hereafter, the Act).
5. The applicable law is s.66 of the Act (dissolution of Civil Marriages) which provides that the court may grant separation or divorce on the following grounds:1. adultery by the other spouse;2. cruelty by the other spouse;3. exceptional depravity by the other spouse;4. desertion by the other spouse for at least 3 years;5. the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
6. I have considered the particulars of the grounds outlined in the petition and how those have contributed to the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage as contemplated under s.66 of the Act. I have also noted the length of physical separation of the couple herein and relied on the reasoning of the court in JSM vs ENB[2015]. With respect to intention to salvage the union, I have noted the unequivocal terms of para 13 of the Petition on lack of such intention. The reasoning of the court in ROK v MJB and TPH v NVS 2017 eklr cannot be emphasized enough-“marriage is a voluntary union……this court cannot by any means order or compel the parties to remain married when the petitioner has categorically stated that she wants the same dissolved…” Seeing as this court cannot force two adults to live together when there is no more love between them, I allow the petition dated 28th June 2022 on the following terms:1. the marriage between the two be and is hereby dissolved.2. Decree nisi do issue to be made absolute in 30 days.3. This being a family matter, each party to bear their own costs.
ADUKE JEAL PRAXADES ATIENOSENIOR RESIDENT MAGISTRATEJUDGEMENT SIGNED AND DELIVERED AT NAIROBI THIS 14TH JUNE 2023 AT 12PM.In the presence of :1. Court Assistant: Benjamin Kombe2. Counsel for the Petitioner-3. Counsel for the Respondent: